Some of the tanneries are operating for a period of more than two decades. All this period, these
tanneries have been polluting the area. Needless to say that the total environment in the area has
been polluted. We issue show-cause notice to these industries through their learned counsel who
are present in Court, why they are be not subjected to heavy pollution fine. We direct the State of
Tamil Nadu through the Industry Ministry, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and all other
authorities concerned and also the Government of India through the Ministry of Environment and
Forests not to permit the setting up of further tanneries in the State of Tamil Nadu.
Copy of this order is communicated to the authorities concerned within three days. To come up
for further consideration after the relies to the show-cause. There are a large number of tanneries
in the state of Tamil Nadu, which have set up individual pollution control devices and which
according to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board are operating satisfactorily. The fact,
however, remains that all these tanneries are discharging the treated effluents within the factory
precincts itself. We direct NEERI Team, which is visiting this area to find out as to whether the
discharge of the effluent on the land within the factory premises is permissible environmentally.
M/s Nandeem Tanning Company, Valayampet Vaniyambadi is one of such industries. Copy of the
report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is forwarded to NEERI. NEERI may
inspect this industry within ten days and file a report in this Court. Copy of this order is
communicated to NEERI.
Matters regarding distilleries in the State of Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has placed on record the fact0ual report regarding 6
distilleries mentioned in page 4 of the index of its report dated April 5, 1996. The learned counsel
for the Board states that the Board shall issue necessary notices to these industries to set up
pollution control devices to the satisfaction of the Board, failing which these distilleries shall be
closed. The Pollution Control Board shall place a status report before this court.”
The NEERI submitted two further reports on 1-5-1996 and 11-6-1996 in respect of CETPS set up
by various industries. The NEERI reports indicate that the physico-chemical characteristics of
ground water from dug wells in Ranipet, Thuthipeth, Valayambattu, Vaniyambadi and various
other places do not conform to the limits prescribed for drinking purposes.
- This Court has been monitoring this petition for almost five years. The NEERI, Board and
the Central Pollution Control Board (Central Board) have visited the tanning and other
industries in the State of Tamil Nadu several times. These expert bodies have offered all
possible assistance to these industries. The NEERI reports indicate that even the seven
operational CETPs are not functioning to its satisfaction. NEERI has made several
recommendations to be followed by the operational CETPs. Out of the 30 CETP sites, which
have been identified for tannery clusters in the five districts of North Arcot Ambedkar, Erode
Periyar, Dindigul Anna, Trichi and Chengai M.G.R., 7 are under operation, 10 are under
construction and 13 are proposed. There are a large number of tanneries which are not likely
to be connected with any CETP and are required to set up pollution control devices on their
own. Despite repeated extensions granted by this Court during the last five years and prior to
that by the Board the tanneries in the State of Tamil Nadu have miserably failed to control
the pollution generated by them. - It is no doubt correct that the leather industry in India has become a major foreign exchange
earner and at present Tamil Nadu is the leading exporter of finished leather accounting for
approximately 80 per cent of the country’s export. Though th4e leather industry is of vital
importance to the country as it generates foreign exchange and provides employment